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RACHEL EDWARDS, SALLY SAWIN
a point of giving back to the community
that supported them.
“I saw my grandfather do what he
could for the community when he ran
the business, and then I saw my dad do
even more as the company flourished,”
recalls Ken Rosenau. “They thought if
you own a business and have the means
to give, you should, and we did just
that. As the company grew, we realized
we couldn’t give to every cause, so we
focused on the ones near and dear to us.”
Supporting the University Hospital
Foundation was a natural fit, as both Gus
and Carl had health challenges and relied
on the expert care in Edmonton. From
sponsoring Heart Pledge Day to chairing
a golf tournament to donating trailers to
Festival of Trees, the family and the family
business have been donors since 1995.
The family sold Rosenau Transport in
2021, and Ken left the business in May
2024. In addition to spending time with
his wife and young son, he was keen to
stay involved with the Foundation, and
is now chairing the Head and Heart
Campaign committee.
“At some point, you or someone you
love is going to need the hospital. We’re
so lucky to have that level of care in
Edmonton, and I’m honoured to be part
of the Foundation. People are going to get
tired of me asking them for money for it,”
Ken jokes.
Rachel Edwards, 35, still remembers
attending her first Festival of Trees when
she was in high school. Her parents,
Allan and Sally Sawin, and grandparents,
Matt and Betty-Jean Baldwin, were active
supporters of the Foundation and had
been going for years, and she was finally
old enough to attend with her brother.
“It was magical with all the trees
around and a nice kick-off to Christmas,
but I really loved hearing what the
doctors had to say and learning about
Photography AMANDA FREELY
the cause,” recalls Rachel. “It was very moving to hear from
people affected.”
Her parents and grandparents were early donors to the
Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute at the University
of Alberta Hospital, the stroke ambulance and the home
hemodialysis program, and Allan and Sally served on the
Foundation’s board.
Over time, Rachel got more involved and now leads both
her parents’ and grandparents’ family foundations. “I feel so
grateful to be hands-on and seeing the results of the support
we’ve given first-hand.”
While Rachel’s daughters are still toddlers, she looks
forward to involving them in the family tradition of giving
back to the community.
“I hope our kids have the same kind of philanthropic values
and really understand how important it is to give back,” says
Rachel. “I want them to keep it going and also find something
important for them to support.” >
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